﻿25 RICHEST AFRICAN FOOTBALLERS OF ALL TIME Africa
is a rich continent, teeming with huge resources. A number of African
with outstanding talent and skill grace the world stage in various categories of sports every year.
Introduced to Africa in the early 1860s by Europeans, football is currently the
most popular sports in the continent. Currently intimately intertwined in development issues,
Africans are using sports especially football in particular to achieve development goals.
In Africa, football is regulated by social, cultural, religious,
economic and political factors. However, some African footballers have not just stood out as
talented in the continent but in the world at large and so, alongside recognition,
they have achieved huge sums of wealth for themselves and the continent as their home.
From salaries, prices and endorsement deals, these African footballers have accumulated millions of
dollars-worth fortunes for themselves. From the 25th to the first, we have:
SALOMON KALOU Born on the 5th of August 1985,
Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a forward
four FA Cups and the League Cup. Kalou is one of the richest African footballers with an estimated
net worth of $12 million. FREDERIC KANOUTE
Described as highly skillful, quick-footed and quick-witted, Ftrederic Oumar Kanoute,
born on the 2nd of September 1977 is a Malian former professional footballer who played as a
striker for several top-tier clubs in Europe and is the first born outside Africa player to win
the African Footballer of the year award. Known to have an eye for the spectacular throughout
his career, he ended his international game in 2010 with a total of 39 caps and 23 goals. His
hard work has accumulated a great fortune for him, making him one of the richest African footballers
with an estimated net worth of $13 million. YAKUBU
Nicknamed “the Yak”, Yakubu Ayebeni, born on the 22nd of November 1982 is a Nigerian former
footballer who played as a striker and is the fourth highest African goal scorer in Premier
League history with 96 goals. As the third highest scorer of Nigeria’s national football team,
he has represented his country at four African Cup of Nations finals,
one FIFA World Cup and one Summer Olympic. With several honors from his football career, he is one
of the richest African footballers of all time with an estimated net worth of $14.5 million.
BENNI MCCARTHY Younger brother to
Jerome McCarthy, Benedict Saul McCarthy , born on the 12th of November 1977 is a South African
coach and former footballer who is the nation’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals and the only
South African to have won the UEFA Champions League. Benni officially began his football
career at the age of 17 and with consistent hard work and growth, he has placed himself
among the richest all time African footballers with an estimated net worth of $16 million.
KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG Born in Germany on the
6th of March 1987, Kevin-Prince is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays midfielder or
forward. Described as a quick, dynamic, physically strong and well-rounded midfielder, he is known
for his long-range shooting ability, flair, foot speed, ball juggling tricks and dribbling skills.
RIYAD MAHREZ Left footed and commonly playing
as a right winger, Riyad Karim Mahrez, born on the 21st of February 1991 is an Algerian professional
footballer who captains the Algerian national team and plays as a winger for Manchester City.
Regarded as one of the best wingers in world football, he has recorded several honors in
football and is one of the richest footballers in the African continent, with an estimated net
worth of $21 million. SADIO MANE
Renowned for his Dribbling and speed, Sadio Mane, born on the 10th of April 1992 is a Senegalese
professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Senegal National team and the Bundesliga
club Bayern Munich. Having played in several other international clubs, he has a record of multiple
national and international successes and with an estimated net worth of $25 million, he is among
the all-time richest African footballers. ANDRE AYEW
Born on the 17th of December 1989, Andre Morgan Rami Ayew, also known as Dede Ayew is a Ghanaian
professional footballer and second born son of FIFA 100 member Abedi “Pele” Ayew. With
over 100 caps, he has been a full international for Ghana and captains the Ghana national team.
Having played for several clubs, he has amassed for himself multiple honors in his career as
a footballer, emerging among the richest of all time with an estimated net worth of $28
million. ASAMOAH GYAN
Popular for his steady game, Asamoah Gyan, born on the 22nd of November 1985 is a
Ghanaian professional footballer who is the top African goal scorer in the history of World Cup.
He is the all-time leading goal scorer of the Ghana national team with 51 goals who began his
career in 20003 with Ghanaian Premier League club liberty professional. Aside football,
he is a boxer and tennis player who has raised the flag of several sports clubs. With an estimated
net worth of $28.5 million, he is one of the richest African players of all time.
PAPA DIOP
Nicknamed “wardrobe”, Papa Bouba Diop, born on the 29th of November is a Senegalese
former professional player who is always position at the midfield or center back.
Described as a player with “great feet” who defended well, had good pace, tackled and
scored a number of goals which earned him multiple awards, Papa Diop of Blessed memory accumulated
for himself a great fortune during his career and is among the richest African footballers of all
time with an estimated net worth of $30 million. OBAFEMI MARTINS
Known for his speed on the ball, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins, born on the 28th of October 1984 is a
Nigerian former professional footballer who has played for a number of European top-division
clubs, since he left Nigeria at the age of 16. As a brother to two professional in the game,
his fast, diminutive and agile left-foot strikes has earned him multiple wins in his national and
international games. With an estimated net worth of $35 million, is one of the all-time richest
African footballers. SAMUEL KUFFOUR
Best remembered for his time with Bayern Munich, whom he represented for over a decade,
Samuel Osei Kuffour , born on the 3rd of September 1976 is a Ghanaian former professional footballer,
known for his physical power. With multiple wins from his National and international games, Sammy
is ranked among the richest African footballers with an estimated net worth of $37 million.
SULLEY MUNTARI
Powerful, experienced, hard-working and tenacious in his game, Suleyman Ali Muntari, born on the
27th of August 1984 is a Ghanaian professional footballer who excels as a ball-winner,
due to his energy, tactical intelligence and ability to breakdown the opposition’s play. He is
winner of multiple honors and one of the all-time richest African footballers with an estimated net
worth of $40 million. KALIDOU KOULIBALY
Physically strong, elegant and quick, Kalidou Koulibaly, born on the 20th of June 1991 is a
Senegalese professional footballer who plays as center-back in his country’s national team
and Chelsea. Born in France to Senegalese parents, he was eligible to represent both
nations at international levels and so, with consistency and his passion for football,
he has recorded multiple achievements and is one ofd Africa’s richest footballers with an estimated
net worth of $41 million. KOLO TOURE
Born on the 19th of March 1981, Kolo Abib Toure is an Ivorian professional football coach and former
player who is a first team coach at Leicester City. As a footballer, he played as defender
for Arsenal , Manchester City, Liverpool, Celtic and the Ivory Coast National team.
As Ivory Coast’s second most capped player, he has been awarded several honors and is well recognized
all over the continent. He is one of the richest African footballers of all time with an estimated
net worth of $43 million. MIKEL OBI
Born John Michael Nchekwube Obina on the 22nd of April 1987, he is a Nigerian former professional
footballer who began his career at the age of 17 and made waves both nationally and
internationally as a defensive midfielder. Having played in several renowned clubs like
Chelsea and Manchester United, he has been awarded multiple honors as a footballer and is currently
one of the richest all time African footballers with an estimated net worth of $ 50 million.
PIERRE-EMERICK
Renowned for his pace and off-ball movement, Pierre-Emerick Emiliano Francois Aubameyang,
born on the 18th of June 1989 is a former Gabonese international player and all time
goal scorer. Also known to be one of Chelsea’s professional strikers, he has won several
national and international awards including the 2016 African footballer of the year. With
an estimated net worth of $50 million, he is one of the richest African footballers of all time.
EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR
Born on the 26th of February 1984, Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor is a Togolese professional footballer who
currently plays as a striker for Togolese Champion National club Semassi. He has played for a number
of English clubs including Arsenal and Manchester City and has won several honors including African
Footballer of the year 2008. Known for his pace, strength and technique in the game,
his consistency has amassed him a great amount of wealth and so, he is ranked
among the richest footballers in the continent with an estimated net worth of $57 million.
MICHAEL ESSIEN
Considered as one of the beat midfielders in the world during his prime, Michael Kojo Essien,
born on the 3rd of December 1982 is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who has been
capped for the Ghana national team more than 50 times. Beginning his football career as a teen,
he made his first senior team debut in 2002 and with several wins, he is ranked among the
richest and most achieved African footballers with an estimated net worth of $70 million.
MOHAMED SALAH Popular for his finishing,
dribbling and speed, Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly, born on the 15th of June
1992 is an Egyptian footballer who captains the Egypt National Team and plays as a forward for
Liverpool. With multiple accomplished national and international wins, he is known to be one
of the best footballers in the world and is among the richest in Africa with an estimated net worth
of $90 million. NWANKWO KANU
Acknowledged as one of the best players in African football history, Nwankwo Kanu, born on the 1st of
August 1976 is a Nigerian former professional footballer who made the third-most substitute
appearances in the Premier League History. Talented, quick and elegant in his game,
he won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup medals, two African Player of
the Year and is one of the few players who have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League,
UEFA Cup and Olympic Gold medal. Made a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, he is also the African Brand
Ambassador for digital TV operator StarTimes and owner of the Kanu Sports TV. Listed among
the richest African footballers of all time, he has an estimated net worth of $100 million.
JAY-JAY OKOCHA
BORN Augustine Azuka Okocha on the 14th of August 1973, he is a former Nigerian professional
footballer who played as a midfield attacker. Known to be a quick, talented and skillful
playmaker, Jay-Jay has played across multiple leagues and is regarded as one of the greatest
football players from Africa. He obtained several honors in his career as a footballer and now,
he is not just an African football legend, but one of the all-time richest African footballers with
an estimated net worth of $150 million. DIDIER DROGBA
Best known for his career at Chelsea, Didier Yves Drogba Tebily, born on the 11th of March 1978 is a
retired Ivorian professional footballer who played as a striker and is the all-time to scorer and
former captain of the Ivory Coast national team. With his first professional debut made at the age
of 18, he has proven his strength and passion for football in both national and international
teams by winning multiple top awards, honors and recognitions. With an estimated net worth of $155
million, he has been active in African social issues, playing vital roles in the peace process
both home and abroad. YAYA TOURE
Known as one of the world’s best midfielders, Gnegneri Yaya Toure, born on the 13th of May
1983 is an Ivorian professional football coach and former player. Aspiring to be a striker
during his youth, Toure made his debut at the age of 18 and since then, he has made memorable
highlights in the history of African football and world football as a whole. Voted African
footballer of the year for four consecutive times from 2011 to 2014, he is among the greatest
African players of all time and second richest with an estimated net worth of $170 million.
SAMUEL ETO’O
Regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time, Samuel Eto’o Fils, born on the 10th of
March 1981 is a Cameroonian football administrator and former player who at his prime was regarded
as one of the best strikers in the world. Once a member of the Cameroon national team,
Eto’o participated in 4 World Cups and six African Nations Cup and is now the all leading
scorer in the history of African Nations Cup with 18 goals and four times winner of the
African player of the year. Made president of the Cameroon Football Federation on the
11th of December 2021, Samuel Eto’o, who played for both national and foreign teams,
is not just a winner of multiple awards and honors in the history of football.
He is the richest African footballer of all time with an estimated net worth of $202 million.
Although most of these players are retired from active on-field playing, they are still expressing
t5heir passion for the sports by developing it and coaching new talents back home. These athletes,
listed as the 25 richest African footballers have had prestigious professional football
careers playing for top football clubs and so, their legacies will always live in their
countries and the African continent as a whole. If you enjoyed watching this video, please do
not forget to leave a thumps up, subscribe and become a member of our growing diverse
community here on THINK RICH AFRICA. Thanks for watching and see you in another interesting video.